Baseball Writers' Association of America explained

Abbreviation:BBWAA
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:C. Trent Rosecrans (2021)[1]
Leader Title2:Vice President
Leader Name2:Larry Stone (2021)
Field:Sportswriting
Membership:At least 394[2]
Membership Year:2022

The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is a professional association for journalists writing about Major League Baseball for daily newspapers, magazines, and qualifying websites. The organization was founded in 1908 and is known for its annual awards and voting on membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Early years

The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908,[3] to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century; It also sought to promote uniformity of scoring methods, and to professionalize the press box, such that access was limited only to working reporters, telegraphers, and others who had a reason to be there.

The organization began with 43 founding members.[4] They included Joe S. Jackson, who became the association's first president. At that time, Jackson was the sporting editor (today called sports editor) of the Detroit Free Press. Also selected as officers were Irving E. Sanborn of the Chicago Tribune, syndicated columnist Hugh Fullerton, and The Boston Globe baseball writer Tim Murnane.[5] A second meeting was held in New York City in December; Sanborn decided he could not serve as an officer at that time, and he was replaced by William Weart of the Philadelphia Times. The slate of officers was ratified, and anyone who wrote about baseball in major league cities was eligible for membership. This policy changed, however, in December 1913, at which time it was decided that minor-league baseball writers could also become members.[6] Then, Jackson became a dominant force in the early years of the baseball writers, being elected as president of the association during nine consecutive terms.[7]

Jackson finally retired in 1919, while Sanborn returned to assume the position of president. After that, Jackson became a member of the BBWAA Board of Directors.[8]

Mission

The organization's primary function is to work with Major League Baseball and individual teams to assure clubhouse and press-box access for BBWAA members. In addition, BBWAA members also elect players to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is the organization's most public function. All writers with 10 continuous years of membership in the BBWAA, plus active BBWAA membership at any time in the preceding 10 years, are eligible to vote for the Hall of Fame. The BBWAA also votes annually for the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Most Valuable Player Award, Cy Young Award, Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, and Manager of the Year Award in each of the two major leagues. The Hall of Fame also empowers the BBWAA's Historical Overview Committee, made up of 11 or 12 veteran BBWAA members, to formulate the annual ballot for the Veterans Committee.

Considering the ready availability of television broadcasts for the majority of baseball games, plus instant access to information through the Internet, some have called into question why the BBWAA has not broadened its membership rules to include broadcasters and researchers.[9] (Similar arguments were made for the inclusion of Web-based journalists, before the BBWAA added Web writers to its ranks in December 2007.)[10]

Others have openly questioned why the BBWAA is involved in the award and Hall of Fame voting processes at all,[11] citing in some cases journalistic integrity and the need to remain unbiased in their coverage of newsworthy events.[12]

Awards

Voting

The BBWAA's most public function is to annually vote on candidates for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

In addition, the BBWAA is responsible for voting on several annual awards in each major league which are presented annually at the New York chapter's dinner:

In or about 2000, the BBWAA took over the voting responsibility for the Edgar Martínez Award, given each year to the outstanding designated hitter in the American League.

From 1953 to 1962, the BBWAA presented a "Sophomore of the Year Award" in each league.[14]

In 1997, a 36-member BBWAA panel selected the Major League Baseball All-Time Team.

BBWAA Career Excellence Award

See main article: BBWAA Career Excellence Award. The annual BBWAA Career Excellence Award is the highest award given by the BBWAA. First awarded in 1962 to J. G. Taylor Spink, longtime publisher of The Sporting News, it was named the J. G. Taylor Spink Award until adopting its current name in February 2021.[15] It has been awarded annually for "meritorious contributions to baseball writing", except for one year during the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike. Recipients are not considered members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame but are permanently recognized in an exhibit at the Hall's library.

Chapter awards

For information about the chapter and its presiding officer, see footnote[16] and Red Foley (past chairman).

New York chapter

Other chapters

[24]

Presidents

For a list of presidents and secretaries from 1908 to the present, see footnote[25] During the 2012 World Series, the Association elected its first female president, Susan Slusser, of the San Francisco Chronicle.[26]

List of members

Names of members are followed by the name of the organization for whom they write.[27]

Through the 2000s, writers for The New York Times, The Washington Post,[28] and The Baltimore Sun[29] said that they were no longer permitted by their employers to vote for the organization's awards. The New York Times said in 2021 that their writers have been prohibited from participating in any awards-giving body since 1989, under the rationale that "journalists should report the news, not help make it".[30] The Los Angeles Times has a similar policy,[31] though it appears to be negotiable.

Web membership

In 2007, the BBWAA opened its membership to web-based writers employed on a full-time basis by "websites that are credentialed by MLB for post-season coverage."[10]

See also

Footnotes

"Baseball Writers Unite." Washington Post, October 15, 1908, p. 9.

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. 1341801127734464512. officialBBWAA. The BBWAA has elected new officers for 2021.... December 23, 2020.
  2. Web site: 2022 Hall of Fame voters. Baseball Writers Association of America. November 21, 2022.
  3. Web site: Base Ball Writers Association of America . BaseballLibrary.com . April 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110513234321/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Base_Ball_Writers_Association_of_America.stm . May 13, 2011 .
  4. "Baseball Writers Have Formally Organized." Duluth News-Tribune, December 10, 1908, p. 12.
  5. "Baseball Writers Unite," The Washington Post, October 15, 1908, p. 9.
  6. "Mike Lynch Gets Jess Baker and Danny Shea for Spokane." Seattle Daily Times, December 10, 1913, p. 19.
  7. "Joe Jackson To Head Baseball Writers for Ninth Straight Term." The Seattle Times, February 14, 1918, p. 19.
  8. "Majors and Minors Rupture Relations." Omaha (NE) World-Herald, January 17, 1919, p. 6.
  9. Web site: ESPN.com: Page 2: Hall voting remains archaic. ESPN. February 22, 1999. October 4, 2011.
  10. Web site: Lederer. Rich. BBWAA Opens Up Its Membership to Web-Based Writers. The Baseball Analysts. December 6, 2007. October 4, 2011.
  11. Web site: I'm not sure reporters should vote in Hall of Fame elections. | SportsJustice | a Chron.com blog. Blogs.chron.com. January 10, 2007. October 4, 2011. September 21, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070921135938/http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2007/01/tuna_not_headed.html. dead.
  12. Web site: The Dallas Morning News. APSE | Associated Press Sports Editors. Apse.dallasnews.com. December 6, 2006. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110928011559/http://apse.dallasnews.com/2006/dec2006/120606roberson.html. September 28, 2011.
  13. Web site: DiComo. Anthony. January 28, 2008. MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLB.com). Murcer honored for rousing recovery: Ex-Yankee's emotional acceptance punctuates BBWAA Awards. January 30, 2010. October 23, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023125532/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080127&content_id=2357419&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&fext=.jsp. dead.
  14. Mondout, Patrick, Sophomore of the Year Award Winners . BaseballChronology.com. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  15. Web site: BBWAA removes J.G. Taylor Spink's name from Hall of Fame writing award over racist language . February 5, 2021 . February 27, 2021 . ESPN.com.
  16. News: Daily News' Mark Feinsand elected Baseball Writers Association of America's New York chairman. November 10, 2010. New York Daily News. January 23, 2011.
  17. News: Rodriguez chokes up during speech. January 24, 2010. Associated Press. ESPN. ESPN.com. October 21, 2011. A-Rod picked up the hardware at the 87th annual New York baseball writers' dinner Saturday night..
  18. Web site: Lester voted postseason MVP by New York baseball writers . . Boston.com . November 4, 2016. November 6, 2016.
  19. Web site: Rumberg. Howie. Alex Rodriguez is left speechless when accepting playoffs MVP from New York baseball writers. January 25, 2010. Associated Press (at Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN). January 30, 2010.
  20. For a brief biographical sketch about BBWAA past president Sid Mercer, see Honor Rolls of Baseball § Writers.
  21. Web site: Maddux, Mussina honored by NY baseball writers. Associated Press (at ESPN). January 26, 2009. January 30, 2010.
  22. The Slocum Award is presented by the New York Baseball Writers Association. Slocum Award. Baseball-Almanac. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  23. For a brief biographical sketch about William J. "Bill" Slocum, see Honor Rolls of Baseball § Writers.
  24. Web site: Terry Ryan Award. Minnesota Twins Community Fund. Play Ball! Minnesota official website. November 3, 2011. The winner is presented with the [Terry Ryan Award] at the annual Baseball Writers Association of America Diamond Awards along with many other prestigious Twins awards..
  25. Go to Constitution (Baseball Writers' Association of America official website; retrieved March 30, 2017) and scroll down to the bottom for Addendum B (BBWAA Presidents) and Addendum C (BBWAA Secretaries).
  26. News: Ann. Killion. Chronicle writer Slusser sets precedent. October 28, 2012. Hearst Communications, Inc.. San Francisco Chronicle. October 29, 2012. [She] was elected president ... at the annual World Series meeting of the BBWAA..
  27. Web site: BBWAA - Badge List . Bizofbaseball.com . December 10, 2007 . October 4, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070713054852/http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content . July 13, 2007 .
  28. News: Taking a Pass On McGwire. The Washington Post. Thomas. Boswell. January 6, 2007.
  29. Web site: The Schmuck Stops Here: Cooperstown awaits - Baltimore Sun Ravens, Orioles: Sports news and opinion from Peter Schmuck - baltimoresun.com. Weblogs.baltimoresun.com. January 12, 2009. October 4, 2011.
  30. News: Why Times Reporters Don't Vote for M.V.P. (Or the Hall of Fame or the Tonys). The New York Times. November 22, 2021. April 7, 2022. Brownstein. Matthew. limited.
  31. Web site: ASNE - Code of Ethics: The Los Angeles Times. www.asne.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20070110190348/http://www.asne.org/ideas/codes/losangelestimes.htm . January 10, 2007.
  32. Web site: BBWAA - Badge List. Bizofbaseball.com. December 10, 2007. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070713054852/http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content. July 13, 2007.
  33. Web site: Dave Albee. Dave Albee: Why I voted for Mark McGwire - Marin Independent Journal. Marinij.com. October 4, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110927224954/http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_4976250. September 27, 2011. dead.
  34. Web site: 2014 Hall of Fame Ballots. bbwaa.com. January 12, 2014.
  35. Web site: Blum. Ronald. > Sports - McGwire likely to fall far short in Hall vote. SignOnSanDiego.com. November 27, 2006. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406085347/http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/baseball/20061127-1545-bbo-halloffame-mcgwire.html. April 6, 2012.
  36. News: Verdict is in: Rice still a tough out. The Boston Globe. Dan. Shaughnessy. January 11, 2006.
  37. http://www.southtownstar.com/sports/arvia/696613,121407sptarvia.article
  38. News: For all the Hall of Fame debate, and all the flaws in the process, Ken Griffey Jr. did something remarkable: He rose above it all. . Andrew . Baggarly. January 6, 2016.
  39. News: Edgar Martinez gets another Hall of Fame shot tomorrow...but not my vote. The Seattle Times. Geoff. Baker. January 4, 2011.
  40. Web site: Bill Ballou Baseball wballou@telegram.com. Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com - Ripken, Gwynn, McGwire getting votes. telegram.com. October 4, 2011.
  41. Web site: 2013 Hall of Fame Ballots. bbwaa.com. January 12, 2014.
  42. MikeBassomatic. Mike Bass. 420901705065062401. January 8, 2014. Here is my Hall of Fame ballot -- the first time I chose the maximum 10 names.
  43. Web site: MLB.com. How our reporters voted | MLB.com: News. Mlb.mlb.com. October 4, 2011.
  44. News: LIVES; The Final Countdown. The New York Times. Ira. Berkow. February 20, 2005. February 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20120612052623/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30A14F93E5E0C738EDDAB0894DD404482. June 12, 2012. dead.
  45. News: McGwire debate heats up. USA Today. Mel. Antonen. December 5, 2006.
  46. News: Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 11, 2007.
  47. Web site: Bradley. Mark. Atlanta Metro News. ajc.com. December 8, 2006. October 4, 2011.
  48. Web site: First-ballot doubts follow McGwire. baltimoresun.com. January 8, 2007. October 4, 2011.
  49. Web site: ESPN.com's Hall of Fame Ballot - MLB - ESPN. ESPN. January 9, 2006. October 4, 2011.
  50. Web site: Hall of Famer voters speak out about Clemens - MLB - ESPN. ESPN. December 14, 2007. October 4, 2011.
  51. Web site: Ultimate Astros » Just say "No" to any Uggla-to-Houston rumors. Blogs.chron.com. November 14, 2010. October 4, 2011.
  52. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16183569.htm
  53. News: How The Courant Voted. Hartford Courant. January 14, 2014.
  54. Web site: Associated Press. ESPN.com - Pudge edges Pedro in AL MVP upset. ESPN. November 17, 1999. October 4, 2011.
  55. News: Should Bonds be in the Hall of Fame?. The San Francisco Chronicle. Tom. FitzGerald. January 8, 2011.
  56. https://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats//articles/1123p2main1123.html
  57. News: Blogs. New York. Daily News.
  58. mikesofine. Mike Fine. 421270786549493760. January 9, 2014. @Weird_Meat I'm retired but was given a vote. Not sure I should have one but I voted..
  59. Web site: John R. Finger Archive. CSNPhilly.com. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091212195553/http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/archive_finger. December 12, 2009.
  60. FlannyMLB. Jeffrey Flanagan. 561239946678112256. January 30, 2015. Enjoyed my years at Fox Sports Kansas City. Today I start my new gig as the #Royals beat writer for. Very excited..
  61. Web site: Sean Forman of Baseball-Reference Gains Inclusion Into BBWAA. Bizofbaseball.com. December 9, 2009. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070713054852/http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content. July 13, 2007.
  62. https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/E52CB4C72DBF6FBD8625725E0017CA1A?OpenDocument
  63. Web site: The Goessling Game - Orioles, Nationals, Ravens on. Masnsports.com. October 4, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004223425/http://www.masnsports.com/the_goessling_game/. October 4, 2011. dead.
  64. Web site: 2015 Hall of Fame voters – BBWAA.
  65. Web site: Detroit Local News - Michigan News - Breaking News - detroitnews.com. The Detroit News. July 7, 2023.
  66. News: MLB.com's Hagen nominated for Spink Award . Barry M. . Bloom . MLB.com . July 10, 2012 . November 4, 2012.
  67. News: SI.com - A 'no' for Big Mac - Dec 30, 2006. CNN. December 29, 2006.
  68. News: Survey: McGwire's Hall status shaky. USA Today. March 25, 2005.
  69. Web site: Garry D. Howard's 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot. https://web.archive.org/web/20140123052836/https://twitter.com/SN_GarryD/status/422400307382218752/photo/1. dead. January 23, 2014. January 13, 2014.
  70. Web site: CLEVELAND SPORTSNews, Scores, Teams, Stories & More on Northeast OH Sports. Cleveland.com. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607085054/http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1165147287151220.xml&coll=2. June 7, 2011.
  71. Web site: BBWAA - Badge List. Bizofbaseball.com. December 10, 2007. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070713054852/http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content. July 13, 2007.
  72. News: HALL OF FAME / Spare the morality play: McGwire deserves induction. The San Francisco Chronicle. Bruce. Jenkins. January 6, 2011.
  73. Web site: The Daily Prospectus: All over the Place, Again. July 24, 2001.
  74. News: Baseball Hall of Fame Voting Process Must Change – Tyler Kepner . The New York Times . Tyler . Kepner . January 8, 2013.
  75. Web site: Ann Killion, Sports Columnist - San Francisco Chronicle.
  76. News: Caminiti gets Hall vote for honesty. The San Francisco Chronicle. Gwen. Knapp. January 3, 2011.
  77. Web site: DAILY SOUTHTOWN:: Paul Ladewski:: 'Dew' tell: Ripken, Gwynn votes won't be unanimous. www.dailysouthtown.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20070111081407/http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/ladewski/201907%2C081LAD2.article . January 11, 2007.
  78. Web site: 'Duk. BBWAA opens doors wider, admits four more Internet writers - Big League Stew - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports. Sports.yahoo.com. September 3, 2009. October 4, 2011.
  79. Web site: Yes . January 3, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070103122808/http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/16356845.htm . January 3, 2007 .
  80. News: Hal McCoy . The San Francisco Chronicle.
  81. Web site: SABR 36 Convention Strategic Philanthropy/Sponsorships . www.sabr.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20070204084427/http://www.sabr.org/cmsfiles/Strategic%20Philanthropy%20Booklet.pdf . February 4, 2007.
  82. News: Which way will the Twins go with their bullpen?.
  83. News: Maddux, Glavine likely to join Cox in HOF class. January 7, 2014.
  84. News: O'Connell's call worth the wait, emotion. USA Today. January 17, 2006.
  85. News: Paige: Help Woody cast his Hall votes. The Denver Post. Woody. Paige. December 16, 2007.
  86. Web site: Will Barry Bonds be in the Hall of Fame? - ESPN Video - ESPN. https://archive.today/20120716044418/http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3114243&categoryId=2378529&n8pe6c=1. dead. July 16, 2012. ESPN. November 16, 2007. October 4, 2011.
  87. Web site: Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. - Community Newspaper Holdings, In… . https://archive.today/20080520132154/http://www.record-eagle.com/2004/dec/25peek.htm . 20 May 2008 . dead.
  88. Web site: Kansas City Breaking News & Sports . The Kansas City Star . 6 July 2023 . 7 July 2023.
  89. Web site: Lederer. Rich. A Hall of Fame Chat with Tracy Ringolsby. The Baseball Analysts. December 31, 2004. October 4, 2011.
  90. News: 'Honorary' BBWAA member Larry Rocca clarifies ballot. fansided.com. January 13, 2014.
  91. Web site: Ken Rosenthal: Why I'm joining The Athletic - The Athletic. athletic.com. November 6, 2017.
  92. News: Sox lead growing in AL East. New York. Daily News. Roger. Rubin. May 29, 2007.
  93. Web site: CSNPhilly Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury. https://archive.today/20120728181024/http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/archive_salisbury. dead. July 28, 2012. Csnphilly.com. October 4, 2011.
  94. http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/scripts/mediaplayer/mp_tpl.jsp?w_id=529673&w=/2006/open/features/destination_cooperstown_30min_350.wmv&pid=gen_video&fid=gen_video350&v=2&mType=w&urlstr=&murl=
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  96. Web site: April. Turner. NABJ Honors Pioneering Sports Journalist, ESPN's Claire Smith with Annual Legacy Award. April 20, 2011. National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). October 21, 2011.
  97. News: Smizik: McGwire belongs in Hall of Fame. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bob. Smizik. December 29, 2006.
  98. Web site: Jim Souhan: Rejection on election day. StarTribune.com. January 9, 2007. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071120051911/http://www.startribune.com/150/story/926525.html. November 20, 2007.
  99. News: Go crazy for the Wizard. USA Today. July 24, 2002.
  100. News: Larry Stone. The Seattle Times. May 14, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120821113738/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/. August 21, 2012.
  101. News: SI.com - Searching for truth - Jan 2, 2007. CNN. January 2, 2007.
  102. Web site: Home . natsinsider.blogspot.com.
  103. News: Mark Zuckerman's 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot. January 13, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140113140918/http://www.csnwashington.com/baseball-washington-nationals/talk/mark-zuckermans-2014-hall-fame-ballot. January 13, 2014.

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